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Evolution of small-space plasma in a microthruster designed for small spacecraft

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Abstract

Plasma and gas particle dynamics in atmospheric pressure helium-filled small volume are investigated using a two-dimensional model. The model includes the conservation equations for the plasma and the neutral gas. In this paper, results are presented from simulation of the interaction between gas and charged species, which in turn causes heating and thrust generation for this microengine. Gas heating and neutral depletion initiations are observed, highlighting the close interaction between gas and charged species in governing the evolution of the small-space plasma inside a microthruster designed for microsatellites.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Applied and Supporting Studies, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

    A. M. Farahat

  2. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Moharam Beek, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21511, Egypt

    A. M. Farahat

  3. Department of Information and Computer Science, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

    E. Ramadan

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  1. A. M. Farahat
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  2. E. Ramadan
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Correspondence to A. M. Farahat.

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Farahat, A.M., Ramadan, E. Evolution of small-space plasma in a microthruster designed for small spacecraft. Plasma Phys. Rep. 40, 981–986 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063780X14110026

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063780X14110026

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